FREE Email Newsletter

Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers

PdMA Corp. (Tampa Florida) introduces the MTAP3, which allows facilities to safely test energized AC electric motors and generators without opening the MCC or switchgear doors. A special cable connects the MTAP3 port to the tester, and the voltage is less than 5V, in order to comply with the latest OSHA and NFPA 70E guidelines for electrical work.

August 6, 2009
FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Bobcat Co., which makes skid-steer loaders and light construction equipment, announced Wednesday it will cut 195 jobs at its three North Dakota sites due to slow sales.
Most of the layoffs involved hourly workers at the plant in the small town of Gwinner, southwest of Fargo, and company officials said they hoped to call them back if the economy improves.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (AP) — General Electric Co. has chosen Schenectady for a $100 million plant to produce high-tech sodium battery cells designed to power locomotives and heavy equipment. GE announced in May that it planned to boost its battery business with a new plant in upstate New York.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Toyota Motor Corp. will produce a fun but affordable sports car as the world's largest automaker seeks a return to profitability with vehicles that meet customers' desire for fuel efficiency without sacrificing style, company president Akio Toyoda said Wednesday.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — At its first meeting, the board overseeing the new General Motors Co. ordered management to bring some new vehicles to market faster, a sign that the new 13-member board will play a far larger role than the old one. Board Chairman Edward Whitacre Jr.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — The U.S. government will not use its stake in General Motors to make social policy such as offering more fuel efficient vehicles or limiting auto emissions, the head of a task force overseeing the industry said Wednesday. Task Force Chairman Ron Bloom told reporters that the management of GM and Chrysler will be left to their boards of directors.

The Test Application and Assembly Center (TAZ) of the Center for Fuel Technology was opened September 2008 at the University of Duisburg-Essen, and is the first facility in which the production of fuel cells can be fully observed and altered according to needs or technological breakthroughs. The facility is researching how fuel cells could be manufactured in an entirely automated process.

Sherman Plastics, Inc. (Depew, NY) recently helped save one of its clients more than $38,000 by switching to Dyna-Purge M engineered purging compound. Garlock Sealing Technologies, a supplier of high-performance fluid sealing products based in Palmyra, NY, called on Dyna-Purge, a division of Sherman Plastics, to assist in solving a problem related to the purging of its injection molding machines.

VIENNA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — A fire at a Michigan fuel storage facility that caused several oil barrels to explode and prompted area evacuations may have started near an electric meter, authorities said Wednesday. Clio Assistant Fire Chief Kerry Paulson said the fire was "mostly out" at the White Oil Co.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Factory orders rose in June for the fourth time in five months, an unexpected gain and the latest sign of recovery in the ailing manufacturing sector. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that factory orders rose 0.

Baumer, a Swiss-based manufacturer of high performance sensors and digital cameras, has become a member of the Cognex Acquisition Alliance. This partnership will facilitate vision system integration by unifying Baumer digital camera and VisionPro vision software expertise, and by simplifying product technical support.

Honda's ASIMO-based experimental device assists users in supporting their bodyweight by reducing stress on joints, muscles, and bones. While unnecessary for most purposes, the Walking Assist Device might have a future in manufacturing, particularly among those who must carry large loads for an extended period of time.

Rapid prototyping could revolutionize manufacturing. See how on-demand parts can be built using nothing more than a single machine, ready to go from 3d computer model to functional piece in a matter of minutes.

BERLIN (AP) — The German government said Monday that it sees "encouraging" signs of progress in negotiations on the future of auto maker Opel as it prepares for more talks with parent General Motors Co. and the two bidders. The Economy Ministry said it expected another round of talks in Berlin on Tuesday between German federal and state officials, GM and the bidders: a consortium of Canadian car parts maker Magna International Inc.

DETROIT (AP) — About 6,000 General Motors Co. blue-collar workers have taken the latest round of early retirement and buyout offers, but it fell short of the company's goal, meaning more layoffs are likely. GM has about 54,000 factory workers and wants to end the year with 40,500, a cut of about 13,500.

GREER, S.C. (AP) — BMW has offered voluntary separation packages to workers at its facility in Greer even as plans for a $750 million expansion remain on track. The Greenville News reported Thursday that the offers are part of the automaker's plan to cut its work force by about 8,000 worldwide.

The U.S. Congress is moving to restore funding for hydrogen research prized by the auto industry despite questions from the Obama administration over the time it will take to build a fleet of vehicles and a network of fueling stations. The Senate was poised to provide $190 million to fund hydrogen research programs as part of a budget plan under consideration Wednesday, more than double the amount sought by the Obama administration.